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2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BIOL2303 Intermediate Skills for Biotechnology

40 creditsClass Size: 23

Module manager: Dr Takashi Ochi
Email: T.Ochi@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisites

BIOL1303Introductory Skills for Biotechnology

Co-requisites

BIOL2110The Power of Bacterial Genomics
BIOL2111Genetic Engineering
BLGY2225Sustainable Food Production
LUBS2045Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice
LUBS2080New Enterprise Planning

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

On completion of this module,
- students should be provided with additional training in data collection, experimental techniques relevant to the multi-disciplinary arena of the biological sciences and in particular biotechnology, the analysis of numerical data, problem solving, teamwork and presentation skills.

- students should be provided with the opportunity to engage in career planning activities and develop an appreciation of ethical issues arising within the biological sciences area.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students will be able to;
- Demonstrate an understanding of and competence in an extended range of laboratory equipment and practical techniques current to molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and microbiology;
- Record, analyse and interpret a variety of experimental data including the appropriate use of simple statistical tests;
- Propose hypotheses and design controlled experiments and/or strategies to investigate these;
- Apply knowledge of the discipline to solve biological problems;
- Interrogate academic databases to retrieve scientific data and/or literature;
- Communicate scientific information clearly and coherently in a range of formats, orally and in writing;
- discuss ethical issues underpinning biological work.

Skills outcomes
Skills outcomes
- Managing knowledge; data evaluation and problem solving, sourcing, selecting & interpreting data.
- Technical competence; laboratory techniques, experimental design, and analysing data, accuracy and IT skills.
- Managing self; planning, time management and career planning.
- Managing relationships; teamwork, decision taking, learning from others; sharing; receiving critique.
- Presentation skills; lab reports, written answers, oral presentations.


Syllabus

Students will undertake a range of experiments using biochemical and molecular techniques including gene cloning and protein expression, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, electrophoresis, chromatography, enzyme assays, bioinformatics & aseptic technique.

Through these experiments they will further develop their technical competence, as well as their ability to record results, interpret a wider variety of data types and form conclusions that do not exceed reasonable interpretation of the data.

Students will also participate in tutorials to further develop their ability to:
(i) handle, transform and interpret numerical data
(ii) interpret experimental results in order to solve biochemical and biotechnological problems
(iii) draw on material from lectures and the primary literature to generate critical reviews of current topics in the area of biotechnology
(iv) develop hypotheses and appropriate experimental strategies to test hypotheses
(v) appreciate ethical issues arising within the biological sciences/biotechnology area and plan for their future careers.

The tutorials will consist largely of small group teaching. Practical and tutorial attendance and the completion of all work are compulsory.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Practical166.0096.00
Tutorial201.0020.00
Private study hours284.00
Total Contact hours116.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)400.00

Private study

- Preparation for lab: 50 hours
- Preparation for tutorials: 50 hours
- On-line practice and learning: 30 hours
- Completion of assessed coursework: 154 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- GFP Semester 1 practicals will be delivered online (demonstrations, videos, experimental planning, data analysis & interpretation).
- No "hands-on" practical classes until Semester 2. Student progress will be monitored through weekly checking of laboratory books/pro formas, and supervision by demonstrators during laboratory/data analysis sessions.
- Continuous for tutorials. Online delivery of normal tutorials/ seminars via Teams/Collaborate

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Literature ReviewShort literature review (Semester 2), submitted online10.00
Practical Report2 x Practical reports summative (5% and 20% each) submitted online in semester 1.25.00
Practical ReportPractical report - submitted online in semester 2.25.00
Tutorial Performance4 x Tutorial assignments equally weighted (10% each; 2 per semester). Submitted online.40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Students should note that there will be NO RESIT OPPORTUNITY for this module during the August resit period, owing to the continuous nature of the assessment. Any student who fails this module will be unable to progress into Year 3, and will be required to repeat the module as an internal candidate the following year, repeating all classes and assignments, for a maximum mark of 40% (in line with other university resits).

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/10/2022

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